Andrea Mattevi is professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Pavia (Italy) where he co-ordinates the protein crystallography group. The common theme to his research projects has been the investigation of medically relevant enzymes with interesting chemical properties, such as complex multifunctional systems and proteins performing unusual catalytic functions. The core of the research activity is represented by X-ray crystallography, employed to study protein three-dimensional structures. This is, however, complemented by other approaches such as site-directed mutagenesis, analysis of enzyme kinetics and computational chemistry. The laboratory has received funding by national and international agencies, including the National Institute of Health (USA), the European Community and pharmaceutical companies.